Cucumber Tomato Salad

Sooo… I had my baby!! She is officially a month old as of yesterday and we are soooo in love with her. It has been far from easy, but every day it becomes slightly “easier” as we learn a little bit more about each other. Luckily I got 6 hours of sleep (not straight) last night/this morning, so I’m in a good mood. If you catch me after a night of less sleep than that, I may not say it’s getting “easier”. But look at this face… it’s totally worth it.

Our precious girl.

And FINALLY I had my first postpartum “work out” today at the gym. I say “finally” because that’s my happy place and I crave the endorphin release and physical challenge. I’ve been walking the baby girl in the stroller around the neighborhood (slightly over 1.5 miles) a few times per week over the past couple weeks, but this morning I was feeling extra good and I wanted to work some muscles. Although I can’t pretend like the simple walks around the neighborhood have been effortless. It’s embarrassing how quickly I lose my breath walking up a slightly inclined street. I have a feeling I’ll be working on my endurance for a while.

Proud mama.

Today my gym work out consisted mostly of basic, very low intensity upper body exercises – nothing from the core and below (besides a little bit of elliptical to warm up for 10 minutes and recumbent bike to cool down for 10 minutes… and some yoga mat work). The husband had me do 4 sets of 10x chest band pulls (with resistance band) and 10x bicep curls each arm (12lb). Then 4 sets of 10x bent over rows each arm leaning on the picnic table bench (15lbs). Then we pulled out a yoga mat for me to lay flat on my back and pulse my hips/butt in the air with my feet and upper back on the ground, 20 times. I would have done more of those, but husband’s boy athletes were coming over and I didn’t want to seem inappropriate! Also, those dumbbell weights may seem heavy to some so soon after giving birth, but I was doing heavier weight when I stopped doing weights about a month before baby girl arrived, so this is reasonable FOR ME. I know to listen to my body and not push myself too hard. The last thing I want is an injury to keep me from more physical activity longer.

The husband and baby girl.

Onto the recipe! This salad is great, especially as the temperatures rise outside. I craved this pretty often when I first found I was pregnant (August of last year), probably because my body wanted the nutrients… not to mention it’s pretty delicious and somewhat thirst quenching. You might think this is strange, but I would even drink the leftover vinaigrette after eating all the veggies. THAT is how much I love it.

Cucumber Tomato Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Cucumber Tomato Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Vinaigrette:

1 tsp Raw Honey

2 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar

2 TBS Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/4 tsp Onion Powder

S&P to taste

Salad:

1/2 Medium Cucumber

1/2 Small Yellow Onion (Red onion is another option, but we always have yellow at the house so it’s my default choice)

1 Medium Tomato

Step 1: MIX. In a small container with lid, combine the ingredients for the vinaigrette. Place the lid on top and shake vigorously to mix.

Step 2: CHOP. In a separate dish, preferably with a lid for easy combining and storage, chop and place your salad veggies. I like to chop them into bite-sized pieces for easy consumption.

Step 3: POUR, SHAKE & MARINATE. Pour your vinaigrette over your chopped veggies, place lid on the dish and shake around to mix. Then place the salad in the fridge to marinate for 1-24 hours. I usually eat a portion after about an hour (if not immediately) then eat the rest after I let it marinate awhile.

We were so bummed you weren’t there! I was excited to surprise you with Alia! There is always next weekend.. And the weekend after that … And after that …. Haha 😉 hope you had a good time at the wedding.